Pharmacy Q & A

A day in the life of pharmacist, Lindi Nel, Platinum Junction

Get to know your friendly Medirite pharmacist!

Q: Give us some insight into your daily work as a pharmacist? 

I typically start my day by reviewing the previous day’s reports and key performance indicators. The rest of the day I try to find a balance between overseeing the dispensing process, ensuring customer satisfaction, compiling management reports, inventory management, implementing standard operating procedures, and ensuring adequate staffing.

Q: What’s the most fulfilling part of your day?

Fulfilment for me as a pharmacist comes from being a problem-solver, educator, and trusted caregiver. The most fulfilling part of my day is when doing my job makes a difference in someone else’s day. I hope that my patients leave the pharmacy feeling welcome to return, more confident, and less overwhelmed. I enjoy building lasting relationships with customers.

Q: How do pharmacists support patients living with chronic illnesses like diabetes?

Pharmacists support diabetic patients by offering:

• Medication management: ensuring the proper use of medications like insulin.
• Patient education: teaching patients how to monitor glucose levels with the correct use of glucose meters.
• Monitoring and follow-up: by tracking medication adherence.

Q: Can pharmacists help with medication management for people living with depression or anxiety?

Pharmacists are very often the most accessible healthcare professionals. We can assist by educating patients on how antidepressants work. Many patients stop taking antidepressants early because they don’t know that it takes time to work or they are alarmed by side-effects. We also monitor adherence (check refill patterns to catch missed doses or early discontinuation), monitor side-effects and interactions, and provide education.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when taking medication?

People make mistakes when taking medication, often unintentionally. These errors can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment or pose serious health risks.

Common medication mistakes include:

• Skipping doses or stopping medication early.
• Taking medication at the wrong time (e.g. taking an antidepressant at night when it causes insomnia or in the morning when it causes drowsiness).
• Mixing medication with alcohol (alcohol can intensify how certain medications work or interfere with how certain medications work).
• Not checking for interactions (taking certain herbal or natural medications might impact how certain prescription medications work).
• Doubling up on doses.
• Not refilling on time.
• Crushing or splitting pills.
• Not following special instructions or misunderstanding dosage instructions.

Q: Can I take supplements alongside my prescription medication?

You can take supplements alongside prescription medication, but you must be careful – some supplements can interact negatively with your medications or reduce their effectiveness. It’s always best to consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your routine.

Q: What’s your best Medirite product for staying healthy?

I recommend Medirite Immune Support tablets. It contains Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Zinc and Selenium, which boost the immune system. If you’d like a comprehensive daily supplement, the Medirite Multivitamin A-Z caplets are a solid choice. 

Q: Why is it important to complete a course of antibiotics?

Completing a full course is important to effectively kill all the bacteria, prevent antibiotic resistance, and avoid infection recurrence. Resistant infections may require stronger antibiotics with more side-effects. Preventing resistance helps keep antibiotics effective for everyone. Even if you start feeling better, the infection might still be there and stopping early might result in a relapse and resistance.

Q: What is one health tip everyone should know?

A powerful health tip everyone should know is to prioritise sleep, healthy nutrition, and movement daily. Poor sleep affects immunity, mood and focus. Regular activity reduces the risk of depression, anxiety, diabetes and heart disease.